“Tim Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor, was seen as having a particular opportunity to show he’s a stronger candidate for mainstream Republicans than Romney. The candidates went head to head when CNN Moderator John King raised the Minnesotan’s use of “Obamneycare” to link the Massachusetts health-care law to the federal reform. Romney won the exchange, stating clearly and concisely why the Massachusetts plan differs from the federal program. Instead of pressing the attack, Pawlenty tried to avoid taking responsibility for it. He said three times that he was just quoting President Obama. “I just cited President Obama’s own words that he looked to Massachusetts for a blueprint or a guide,” Pawlenty said. Republicans aren’t looking for a candidate who takes his talking points from the president.”

“I said essentially the same thing in [the debate] as I did Sunday morning, which is that President Obama used the Massachusetts health care plan as the blueprint, and that’s why I dubbed it Obamneycare, and I used that same term last night. So I don’t understand what the kerfuffle’s about. I said the same thing in both appearances,” Pawlenty said.